Life inside the volleyball court lines are about to become much different for Karolina Bartkowiak and Chelsey Sandberg.

Both were vital offensive cogs in the Utah machine that rolled through the Mountain West Conference and all the way to the Sweet 16 in 2008. Yet neither was the focus of the opposition. That went to All-American performers Lori Baird and Emillie Toone, now graduated.

There are holes to fill at the net and new leaders to follow, including Bartkowiak.

"Last year, life was good," said Bartkowiak, a junior middle blocker and preseason All-MWC selection. "Now I must step up my game. I've got to do my best every single day, every single match. I need to step up, too."

A full slate greets the opening of the volleyball season, with Utah hosting Cincinnati, Arizona State and UC Rverside in the Utah Classic on Friday and Saturday. BYU travels to a Missouri tournament, while Utah State and Utah Valley compete in Weber State's weekend tournament.

Meanwhile, a new era begins for Southern Utah women's volleyball, which makes a return to the court Friday after 20 years. The volleyball program was dropped following the 1988-89 season.

"Finally," coach Debby Baker said about the build up to the season. "We are excited to play in a competition with other teams."

While Utah, ranked 17th coming into the season, was selected as the favorite to repeat as conference champs -- the Cougars, under second-year coach Shay Goulding, were picked fourth -- the Utes remain an unfocused picture.

"Every year, someone steps up," said coach Beth Launiere. "We're seeing that every day in practice. We're a work in progress, but we've made a lot of progress."

Lineup questions remain, as do some depth problems. The cupboard, though, is far from bare with the return of senior outside hitter Cinthia Silva and sophomores Abby Simmons and Sarah Hibbert, both productive as freshmen last season.

"We're about the same at this time last year," said Sandberg, a senior middle blocker who feels comfortable with leadership responsibilities. "Watching the seniors last year helped me a lot. But I am not them. I am trying to be myself."

As for the rankings; "It's just a number," Sandberg said. "It means nothing."

Launiere enters this season nine wins short of 400. Last year was the 13th time that her team has recorded at least 20 victories, going 26-6. That history plays into team development.

"We use it as a source of pride," she said.

martyr@sltrib.com